Coconut water is enjoyed by people during the hot summer months. It is a great way to cool down. Did you think that coconut water was only a summer drink? It’s about time you reconsidered.
Coconut water is known for being a “life fluid.” It contains a wide range of essential nutrients that many people lack, making it more than just a naturally sweet refresher. Coconut water has no calories and no fat.
Coconut water can be used as a beverage or to treat dehydration caused by things like diarrhea or exercise. In addition to the potential uses already mentioned, it is also being studied for its possible effects on high blood pressure and athletic performance.
The Benefits of Drinking Coconut Water
Coconut water is a hydrating, low calorie drink without any fats or cholesterol. Before you drink coconut water next time, think of all the benefits it has.
1. Electrolyte and Nutrient-Rich
Natural electrolytes are found in coconut water. 1 cup of this food contains 16% of the recommended daily intake of potassium. The mineral potassium is important for the body because it helps the kidneys function properly and supports muscle contractions.
Coconut water could be a healthier choice than sports drinks like Gatorade. Coconut water has more potassium than the average sports drink, but it contains less sodium.
Furthermore, it has fewer carbs than typical sports beverages. This means that it might not give you enough energy during a strenuous or lengthy workout, but it can help you rehydrate afterwards.
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2. Hydration with Little Calories
One cup of coconut water has 45 calories.
Cocoa nut water as a healthier alternative to drinks like soda and juice, which tend to be high in calories, sugar, and carbohydrates.
If you’re not a fan of the taste of plain water, you might want to give coconut water a try.
A good guide is to drink half a liter of fluid for every 0.5 kg of weight you lose during activity, whether it’s coconut water, a sports drink, or just water. Staying hydrated could help:
- Increase energy levels
- Aid digestion
- Enhance cognition
- Alleviate joint pain
- Control weight
- Maintain body temperature
- Minimize the frequency of headaches
- Enhance heart health
3. Helps with Weight Reduction
Drinking coconut water can help you lose weight or manage your weight since it doesn’t have as many calories as other drinks like soda or juice.
Coconut water can be a great alternative to sugary drinks. It is low in calories and has a lot of electrolytes, which can help with hydration.
4. Diabetes Management
Coconut water can help regulate blood sugar levels and improve symptoms of diabetes, according to studies by PubMed Central. Manganese is included in this supplement and has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels.
Coconut water has the added benefit of containing magnesium, which may improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels in persons with Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes.
5. May Aid Heart Health
Drinking coconut water may help to avoid heart disease. This foodstuff is rich in potassium, so it may help to regulate cholesterol in the bloodstream and thus improve heart health.
Additionally, coconut water helps improve good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein), which lowers the chances of developing various heart diseases.
Coconut water has the potential to lower your total cholesterol, bad cholesterol, and triglycerides. It has the added benefit of increasing levels of high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol). HDL levels can play a role in heart disease. Higher levels HDL are associated with a lower risk of heart disease, while lower levels are associated with an increased risk. Coconut water has many properties that could potentially protect the heart.
A study found that coconut water may help protect your heart. Rats whose diets were supplemented with tender coconut water were protected from the development of myocardial infarction.
6. Antioxidant-Rich
The antioxidants in coconut water help to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress.
Although various researchers have conducted studies throughout the years to investigate the antioxidants in coconut water, only a few of these studies have included human volunteers.
One of the most recent research studies, published in 2016, found that the high antioxidant content of coconut water helped lower cholesterol markers in rats.
7. Benefits to Kidney Health
Drinking coconut water daily may benefit kidney health.
A study from 2018 showed that coconut water may help people pass kidney stones or prevent them from forming. The study found that people who drank coconut water had higher levels of citrate, potassium, and chloride in their urine.
In 2021, PubMed Central published research that discovered similar benefits in rats. References to other research suggest that drinking coconut water may help to reduce the kidney damage caused by diabetes.
Kidney stones form when calcium, oxalate and other crystals accumulate in the urine. These crystals can further combine to make small stones.
So, it’s important to drink lots of fluids to prevent kidney stones. While plain water is always a great choice, coconut water can also be a great option for staying hydrated.
The study found that coconut water is high in potassium and magnesium, and low in sodium, which is the ideal ratio for keeping kidney stones at bay. Coconut water can help flush out the chloride and citrate in the urine of healthy people. Coconut water may effectively flush out the system. It has been shown to reduce the risk of stones forming.
But this study was performed only on eight people. More research is needed on the role of coconut water on preventing kidney stones, as the data source is small.
8. Healthy Skin
The study found that coconut water has antimicrobial qualities that could help fight against acne. Although coconut water does not contain as many antioxidants as other fruits, it can help your body’s antioxidant system by reducing the harmful effects of free radicals.
Dehydration can cause dry, flaky skin. Coconut water can help you meet your hydration needs. It also promotes circulation. It will leave you with plump, glowing skin. Coconut water contains antioxidants which may help to reduce the signs of aging.
9. May Prevent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Coconut water may help to prevent urinary tract infections by increasing urine output. It may be beneficial to flush out toxins through urine. Urinary infections may clear up because the medication causes you to urinate frequently.
10. A Promising Hangover Cure
Coconut water naturally has the same osmotic pressure as the human body and absorbs into the body faster and more effectively than non-isotonic liquids. As a result, you recover faster. This food is a good source of minerals that your body may be lacking, including potassium and magnesium.
Coconut water can help relieve a hangover. It’s high in potassium and is non-acidic. So, it will not make your stomach upset and make your hangover feel better.
11. Pregnancy Safe Liquid
Coconut water is safe to drink during pregnancy, as long as it has been kept refrigerated and has not passed its expiration date. Coconut water is rich in electrolytes which can help to replace those lost during morning sickness. The minerals present in coconut water may also be beneficial for the developing fetus.
Coconut water is generally safe to drink during pregnancy, but you should check with your healthcare practitioner if you have any concerns.
12. May Relieve Constipation
Constipation is characterized by having fewer than three bowel movements a week, and by having difficulty passing stool. Some evidence suggests that increasing your fluid intake may help as part of your treatment plan.
The study found that not drinking enough water may be a risk factor for constipation in both younger and older people. Increased hydration may help in the reduction of constipation. Coconuts may help people suffering from constipation.
A study found that a coconut rich in magnesium and salt can help improve bowel movement frequency and regularity in people who suffer from constipation.
Coconut water has magnesium. Zinc is a mineral that helps in digestion and keeping the gut healthy.
13. Beneficial After A Workout
Are you a fanatic of sports drinks? Well, you are sure to relish coconut water. Exercise and coconut water often go hand in hand. Sports drinks often contain high levels of sugar and artificial flavors.
Coconut water is a healthier alternative to sports drinks because it is low in calories and carbohydrates. It also is free from additives. Hence, coconut water is primarily connected to exercise.
Coconut water is an elixir of electrolytes. These are minerals with an electrical charge. Additionally, electrolytes may be found in your blood, urine, and sweat.
They are necessary for the proper functioning of many systems in your body. For example, substances like electrolytes are necessary for the proper functioning of your nerves and muscles.
Electrolytes also help to maintain your body’s environment. They maintain your internal pH by keeping you hydrated.
The electrolytes potassium, sodium, and magnesium are what make coconut water so appealing. And coconut water can also boost hydration.
Coconut water is an excellent choice of beverage to drink after a workout as it helps the body to rehydrate.
Coco Hydrate is a coconut water-based blend that is loaded with electrolytes and antioxidants! With a pineapple twist, this daily drink helps boost hydration levels and supports joints during recovery and high-intensity activities.
14. Potassium
Coconut water has more potassium than a sports drink. A glass of coconut water contains as much potassium as a banana.
The majority of people don’t get enough potassium every day. Coconut water gives 405 mg of potassium per cup. And this might benefit you to avoid cramping.
Potassium regulates fluid and electrolyte balance in our bodies. It is essential to maintain a balance during exercise. In addition, coconut water contains more potassium than sodium. This means that it could help control blood pressure that is affected by salt.
15. Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Therefore, they help with various body functions like tissue healing.
Coconut water is rich in amino acids. It contains amino acids like alanine, arginine, cysteine, and serine.
Coconut water is abundant in arginine. This amino acid helps the body respond better to stress, including the kind of stress caused by a hard workout. Arginine has benefits for heart health and immunity.
16. Cytokinins
Cytokines are tiny proteins. They help to control the immune system. When cytokines are released, they alert the immune system to do its job.
They also influence the formation of all blood cells. Cytokines not only affect the growth of infection-fighting cells, but also play a role in the body’s overall immune response.
Coconut water contains cytokinins. These substances have anti-aging and anti-cancer effects. There is no substantial evidence that coconut water prevents cancer.
17. May Lower Cholesterol
Triglycerides are a type of fat that is present in the blood. Any extra calories you consume will be converted into triglycerides in your body and stored as fat cells. It works as an energy store for the body. However, having a lot of cholesterol in your system can increase your chances of developing diseases.
A study has demonstrated that tender coconut water lowers triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acids in rats. This suggests that it may have potential as a dietary intervention for lowering blood lipid levels and associated cardiovascular risks.
The total cholesterol and low-density lipid (the bad cholesterol) decreased. While on one hand coconut water has benefits, on the other hand it also has some drawbacks.
This study indicates that coconut water may help to improve cholesterol and blood lipid levels. Thus, it may help manage various diseases. However, this data is present from animal studies. This claim needs to be verified through more research on humans.
18. May Lower Blood Sugar
Coconut water may help regulate blood sugar levels in diabetic animals. But similar studies on humans are lacking. Nevertheless, coconut water also contains magnesium. Therefore, it is another benefit of coconut water. Magnesium may help improve insulin sensitivity. It also has the potential to decrease blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.
This is important to remember because coconut water has carbohydrates. However, our body converts carbs into sugars. If you are diabetic, you should speak to your health care professional before adding coconut water to your diet.
Conclusion
Coconut water is rich in electrolytes, which can help regulate your blood sugar levels, improve kidney function, and keep you hydrated. It is also a natural and refreshing drink that can help your heart.
Although more research needs to be done with human subjects to confirm these claims, the evidence so far is encouraging.